Vocabulary necessary for understanding the basic, most fundamental topics involved with heredity.
Gregor Mendel history and study
Punnett Squares
Formal Assessment: Quiz 1 - short and straight forward assessment on material covered during the first week.
Assignment: What do your genes look like?
In this assignment, students will use a photo of themselves and determine their personal phenotypes and try to assess at least three traits in depth based of parents or sibling relation. A hypothetical Punnett Square for each selected trait will be constructed and assessed as well.
Phase 2 - Genetic Disease
Genetic Coding
Types of mutations
Prevalence of certain genetic diseases
Inheritance Patterns
Assessment: In groups, students will be reading scientific articles about genetic diseases. They will read the articles in class and discuss each aspect of the paper. Each student will write a page summary on the articles they read, identifying main points and key aspects of the paper. A series of discussion questions will be provided to ignite creativity and critical thinking while guiding the direction of the papers.
Lab: Students will complete the "Risky Genetics" lab assignment in class.
Formal Assessment:Quiz 2 - The quiz will be in a familiar format based on the information covered in both Phase 1 (20%) and Phase 2 (80%).
Phase 3 - Pedigrees and Human Interference with Genetics
Selective Breeding - watch a movie to determine ethical, moral and scientific dilemmas surrounding selective breeding. A writing prompt to be completed while viewing the film followed by a class discussion.
Genetic modification
Assignment: Find an example of a genetically modified organism and compare it with it's original, natural form. Students will then create an advertisement either supporting the GMO or the organic organism. A short caption will be included with the advertisement.
Pedigrees - learn how to read and understand pedigrees
Assessment: Students will construct their own personal pedigrees on a selected trait to the best of their abilities. They will then write a 1 page paper on the modes of inheritance and the pattern of inheritance this trait has.
Final Assessment: Because the unit contains a lot of written work, the final assessment will be compiled portfolio of the work completed during the unit. Pieces in the unit will include "What do your genes look like?", 1 page paper on the scientific papers read in class, advertisement on genetic modification, and the final pedigree.
Phase 1 - Introduction to Hereditary
Vocabulary necessary for understanding the basic, most fundamental topics involved with heredity.
Gregor Mendel history and study
Punnett Squares
In this assignment, students will use a photo of themselves and determine their personal phenotypes and try to assess at least three traits in depth based of parents or sibling relation. A hypothetical Punnett Square for each selected trait will be constructed and assessed as well.
Phase 2 - Genetic Disease
Genetic Coding
Types of mutations
Prevalence of certain genetic diseases
Inheritance Patterns
Phase 3 - Pedigrees and Human Interference with Genetics
Selective Breeding - watch a movie to determine ethical, moral and scientific dilemmas surrounding selective breeding. A writing prompt to be completed while viewing the film followed by a class discussion.
Genetic modification
Pedigrees - learn how to read and understand pedigrees
Final Assessment: Because the unit contains a lot of written work, the final assessment will be compiled portfolio of the work completed during the unit. Pieces in the unit will include "What do your genes look like?", 1 page paper on the scientific papers read in class, advertisement on genetic modification, and the final pedigree.
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